55-454: The 2019 Irish local elections were held in all local authorities in Ireland on Friday, 24 May 2019, on the same day as the 2019 European Parliament election and a referendum easing restrictions on divorce . Each local government area is divided into local electoral areas (LEAs) where three to seven councillors are elected on the electoral system of proportional representation by means of
110-576: A claim was made that direct provision was "inhuman and degrading", asserting that the system is illegal under both the Irish Constitution and the European Convention on Human Rights , and all other international human rights conventions that Ireland has subscribed to. This case was vigorously defended by the State on all grounds, including on the basis that it fulfills Ireland's obligations, that it
165-530: A decision made by the Rainbow Government domestic water charges were abolished on 1 January 1997 placing further pressure on local government funding. The Department of Finance is a significant source of funding at present, and additional sources are rates on commercial and industrial property, housing rents, service charges and borrowing. The dependence on Exchequer has led to charges that Ireland has an overly centralised system of local government. Over
220-428: A more pro-active and co-ordinated national and local approach to protecting the environment. An Bord Pleanála was seen as another inroad into local government responsibilities. Additionally, the trend has been to remove decision-making from elected councillors to full-time professionals and officials. In particular, every city and county has a manager, who is the chief executive but is also a public servant appointed by
275-564: A multidisciplinary healthcare team overseeing their care. Asylum seekers are more likely to experience certain mental health conditions than the general population. A 2009 paper from the Irish College of Psychiatrists stated that migrants and asylum seekers in Ireland are 10x more likely to suffer from PTSD, and 3x more likely to suffer from psychosis. 53% of asylum seekers in direct provision reported having been tortured before their arrival in Ireland. People in direct provision also experience
330-559: A popular vote. While the Limerick plebiscite passed by a small margin, voters in Waterford and Cork both rejected the proposal by equally small margins in 2019. The 2024 Limerick mayoral election took place in June 2024, with John Moran , an independent candidate being inaugurated as the first directly elected mayor in Ireland on 21 June 2024. Eurostat , the statistical Directorate-General of
385-519: A pre-election circular to its candidates on strategy for negotiating post-election power-sharing deals with other parties or groups. It prohibits deals with Sinn Féin, except where a council shares power across all groups (typically via D'Hondt method allocation of posts). Garda inquiries were launched in relation to an unusually large number of postal vote applications in the Ballymote – Tubbercurry LEA, and alleged irregularities around 200 names added to
440-524: A proposed direct provision centre was firebombed in Moville . The following February, protests against a proposed direct provision centre in Rooskey saw another arson attack on a proposed direct provision centre. In September 2019, Oughterard saw the largest ever protests against a proposed direct provision centre, which was blockaded night and day for three weeks. Another 24/7 protest began on Achill Island
495-516: A representational and an operational role because the Irish system of Local Government encompasses both democratic representation and public administration." Direct provision Direct provision ( Irish : Soláthar díreach ) is a system of asylum seeker accommodation used in the Republic of Ireland . It has been criticised by human rights organisations as illegal, inhuman and degrading. Operated by
550-653: A single tier of town council, with five permitted to retain the title of borough council: the city of Kilkenny and the four towns of Sligo , Drogheda , Clonmel , and Wexford . The Local Government Reform Act 2014 enacted changes which took effect after the 2014 local elections: The civic and ceremonial status of existing cities, boroughs and larger towns was retained after being merged with counties. Those municipal districts that included existing cities or boroughs merged became either "metropolitan districts" or "borough districts". They continue to have mayors as do those districts containing county towns. In all other councils
605-424: A variety of stressors that are not as prevalent in the general population including: legal status, a feeling of not being able to parent properly (due to lack of employment and inability to provide transportation for their children), not being able to have a job, uncertainty about involuntary transfers, language barriers, not being able to have access to food at a time when the canteen is not open, nutritional status of
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#1733092360350660-562: Is a strategic planning area. Below this are local administrative units (LAUs) which are the basic statistical components for the regions; in Ireland these are the local electoral areas (LEAs). Following the abolition of domestic property rates in the late 1970s, local councils found it extremely difficult to raise money. The shortfall from the abolition of property rates led to the introduction of service charges for water and refuse, but these were highly unpopular in certain areas and led in certain cases to large-scale non-payment. Arising from
715-416: Is broadly in line with (and in many cases better than) the situation in other EU states, and that at a time of competing calls for finite resources, it was not feasible for the State to grant the right to work, access to full social welfare and access to the public housing and/or rent supplement to asylum seekers. In his judgement on 14 November 2014, Justice Colm Mac Eochaidh found against the applicants on
770-537: Is not the safe environment that children need. Room sharing and close contact in direct provision puts asylum seekers and staff at risk of contracting COVID-19. Many asylum seekers reported that they found it difficult to follow social distancing measures when sharing amenities like rooms and bathrooms with non-family members. Additionally, because people in direct provision who are able to work often work low-income jobs with conditions that are less than ideal for social distancing (such as meat packing plants), workers and
825-430: Is possible that children developing in a trauma-filled environment will experience cognitive impairment. Children need an environment that is both physically and emotionally safe in order to excel. Health professionals have argued that an environment with inadequately trained professionals and staff, physical abuse, lack of supervision of children, and close contact of many families with young children to unfamiliar adults
880-559: The COVID-19 restrictions on social distancing, self-isolating, and cocooning for those living in its Centres. In particular groups have highlighted the impact on children when there is no access to outdoor or leisure spaces, and the shared facilities with numerous other residents. Some advocacy groups such as Movement of Asylum Seekers in Ireland have been involved in Black Lives Matter protests and demonstrations in Ireland highlighting
935-588: The European Union , uses a geographical hierarchy system called the Nomenclature of Territorial Units for Statistics (NUTS) for various statistical and financial disbursement purposes. The entirety of Ireland is a First-level NUTS of the European Union . The Second level (NUTS 2) divides Ireland into three regions which have a Regional Assembly. The Third level (NUTS 3) divides these regions into 8, each of which
990-556: The International Protection Accommodation Services of the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth , it provides international protection applicants with accommodation and a small allowance. International protection applicants in direct provision are usually entitled to state-funded medical care, and children have full mainstream access to the education system. Direct provision
1045-485: The Local Government (Ireland) Act 1898 . This Act established a county council for each of thirty-three Irish administrative counties (County Tipperary was divided with North Riding and South Riding ) and a county borough corporation in six cities that were separate from their respective counties. Each county was divided into urban and rural districts . Urban districts in the area of five municipal boroughs retained
1100-486: The Reception and Integration Agency said it was because of a miscommunication involving a new staff member. The Department of Justice described what happened as "regrettable". Donnah Vuma was living at the centre with her children for four years and had previously criticised direct provision centres for refusing to allow residents to use cooking facilities. In 2020, direct provision was widely criticised as not conducive to
1155-405: The barony and grand jury , no longer fulfil their original purpose while retaining only vestigial legal relevance in the modern state. Others, such as the poor law unions , have been transformed into entities still in use by the modern state, but again, their original functions have been substantially altered. Sixty years later, a more radical reorganisation of local government took place with
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#17330923603501210-408: The borough of Dún Laoghaire were abolished with their administrative areas being divided among three new counties: Dún Laoghaire–Rathdown , Fingal and South Dublin . The state was divided into eight Regional Authorities. The Local Government Act 2001 simplified the local government structure, with the principal tier of local government (county and city councils) covering the entire territory of
1265-505: The single transferable vote . There was one change to the local government areas since the 2014 elections , with a transfer of land from County Cork to Cork city under the Local Government Act 2019 . Reviews of the county boundaries near Drogheda , Athlone , and Carlow ( Graiguecullen ) recommended no change. A review recommending transfer of Ferrybank from Kilkenny County Council to Waterford City and County Council
1320-583: The 38 direct provision centres across 17 counties in Ireland by the end of April 2020. In February 2021, the Government of Ireland announced a plan to end direct provision by 2024. The length of time people spend in direct provision has been criticised by human rights watchdogs , with the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission calling the delays faced by asylum applicants as "systemic and pernicious." In CA v. Minister for Justice and Equality ,
1375-475: The Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government . In 2014, most districts had a single LEA and all LEAs (except for Cork city) had between 6 and 10 councillors, whereas from 2019 LEAs had between 3 and 7 councillors and some large municipal districts on the west coast had two LEAs to account for the greater distances involved for elected representatives. Under the 2014 Act, the municipal districts containing
1430-524: The High Court. The Irish Refugee Council has reported that young people living in Direct Provision centres are more prone to depression and suicide, and in the case of three young people in particular, aged between 11 and 17, stated "for different reasons, these three young people have all expressed the view that they can’t see the purpose of living." According to responses to parliamentary debates and
1485-555: The National Roads Authority took overall authority for national roads projects, supported by local authorities who maintain the non-national roads system. The whole area of waste management has been transformed since the 1990s, with a greater emphasis on environmental protection, recycling infrastructure and higher environmental standards. In 1993 the Environmental Protection Agency was established to underpin
1540-655: The Non Principle Private Residence (NPPR) charge and the proposed water charge. Since 1999, motor tax is paid into the Local Government Fund, established by the Local Government Act 1998, and is distributed on a "Needs and Resources" basis. In 2013, a local property tax was introduced to provide funding for local authorities. Local government has progressively lost control over services to national and regional bodies, particularly since
1595-949: The Public Appointments Service (formerly the Civil Service and Local Appointments Commission), and is thus answerable to the national government as well as the local council, in theory. Therefore, local policy decisions are sometimes heavily influenced by the TDs who represent the local constituency in Dáil Éireann (the main chamber of parliament), and may be dictated by national politics rather than local needs. Local government bodies now have responsibility for such matters as planning, local roads, sanitation, and libraries. The Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government has responsibility for local authorities and related services. Fingal County Manager David O'Connor: "Local Authorities perform both
1650-602: The RIA, the majority of adults in direct provision have had their initial asylum applications rejected and are either appealing this or seeking to remain in Ireland under other criteria. On October 31, 2018, Donnah Sibanda Vuma asked staff at the direct provision centre in Knockalisheen where she resided for bread and milk for her sick child. The staff refused and told her that they had strict instructions not to give any food outside of canteen hours. The Department of Justice said that
1705-598: The area of the former borough councils of Clonmel, Drogheda, Sligo and Wexford are designated as borough districts. The Boundary Committee proposed also designating census towns over 30,000 as borough districts, which would include the towns of Bray, Navan and Dundalk. A change to this designation was made by statutory instrument but was later reversed as incompatible with the 2014 Act. Plebiscites took place in Cork City Council , Limerick City and County Council and Waterford City and County Council on whether to create
2019 Irish local elections - Misplaced Pages Continue
1760-458: The ballot as Non-Party. People Before Profit and Solidarity candidates ran under the electoral alliance Solidarity–People Before Profit . All foreigners residing in Ireland can run and vote in local elections, irrespective of their residence status. This also includes asylum-seekers. In 2019, 31 non-Irish candidates ran in the election, originating from countries such as Nigeria, Poland, Romania, Lithuania. Four managed to win seats. Members of
1815-547: The direct provision system, and localised protests against individual proposed direct provision centres. The former are usually organised by the Movement of Asylum Seekers in Ireland (an advocacy group for asylum seekers) and anti-racism groups, while the latter have been accused of racism and have seen the involvement of far right groups. Right-leaning groups had been encouraging people to oppose direct provision centres for some years, with little success. In November 2018,
1870-480: The equivalent office is known as Chair or Cathaoirleach. Each municipal district was issued with a new statutory charter setting out its powers alongside any historic charters that already existed. At the 2019 Limerick City and County Council election , voters approved a proposal in a plebiscite on the establishment of a directly elected mayor for Limerick City and County by a vote of 52.4%. Support for directly elected mayors has been almost equally divided when put to
1925-512: The first time in Ireland in a new Article 28A. The Local Government Reform Act 2014 changed the structure by the abolition of all town councils and the merger of certain county councils. The reforms came into effect in 2014, to coincide with that year's local elections . The county was a unit of judicial and administrative government introduced to Ireland following the Norman invasion . The country
1980-561: The food that is prepared for them, discrimination, and separation from their families or family members. Irish psychologists have stated the direct provision system is elongating the period of traumatic experiences for people in Direct Provision. Owing to the environment at direct provision centres, children living in DP are more likely to experience problems related to overcrowding. It has been reported that children in DP are more likely to present with burns and stress-related illnesses than children in
2035-455: The foundation of the state in 1922. For instance, local control of education has largely been passed to Education and Training Boards , while other bodies such as the Department of Education still hold significant powers. In 1970 local government lost its health remit, which had been already eroded by the creation of the Department of Health in 1947, to the Health Board system. In the 1990s
2090-647: The general Irish population. Additionally, due to a combination of poverty, deprivation, social isolation, and a stressful environment at home, children and adolescents in DP are likely to experience poor mental health. Children in DP experience social isolation due to strict meal times, inability to participate in extracurriculars, visitors being banned from DP centres, and lack of transportation to and from friends’ homes. There have also been reports that children in DP experience social isolation due to stigma, racism, and bullying. Children who are alone and bored as many in DP are, are more likely to experience depression, and it
2145-596: The largest minority in Ireland, the Polish were less active as candidates than in previous elections in 2009 and 2014. While in those years, 9 Polish candidates ran each time, in 2019 the number was only 3. None won a seat. Local government in the Republic of Ireland The functions of local government in the Republic of Ireland are mostly exercised by thirty-one local authorities, termed County, City, or City and County Councils. The principal decision-making body in each of
2200-421: The majority have canteen style eating halls. These have been criticised both for the quality of food, and for the attitude of the canteen workers when it comes to accommodating specific dietary needs. Many child asylum seekers have been sent here alone while some are born into the direct provision life and that is all they have ever known. In June 2014, there were more than 1,000 asylum cases waiting to be heard in
2255-603: The office of directly elected mayors with executive functions who will act as an ex officio member and chair of the council. These plebiscites were held under Part 6 of the Local Government Act 2019. The proposal was approved in Limerick City and County and rejected in both Cork City and Waterford City and County. The elections were held in accordance with the Local Elections Regulations 1995 as amended. Relevant dates are as follows: Fine Gael head office issued
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2310-507: The other people in their direct provision centres are at higher risk for contracting highly communicable illnesses. Direct provision sites in Kildare and Cahersiveen have demonstrated how quickly contagious illnesses such as the COVID-19 virus can spread when many people in a small centre are in close contact. Direct provision-related protests have taken the form of both general protests against
2365-583: The past three decades numerous studies carried out by consultants on behalf of the Government have recommended the reintroduction of some form of local taxation/charging regime, but these were generally seen as politically unacceptable. However, in 2012 the Local Government Management Agency was established to provide a central data management service to enable the collection of the Home Charge,
2420-541: The provision of public libraries. Each local authority sends representatives to one of three Regional Assemblies . Local government in the state is governed by Local Government Acts 1925 to 2024, the principal act of which is the Local Government Act 2001 . The Local Government (Ireland) Act 1898 is the founding document of the present system. The Twentieth Amendment of the Constitution of Ireland (1999) provided for constitutional recognition of local government for
2475-568: The publication of a report by Doras based upon interviews with residents. In the direct provision system, refugees seeking asylum in Ireland have access to medical cards (which are also allocated to low income individuals in Ireland). These cards allow individuals to receive their medical care and prescriptions for free. Because many asylum seekers experience mental health conditions and concerns in addition to any health problems they may have, researchers recommend that asylum seekers in DP have access to
2530-493: The state and having general responsibility for all functions of local government except in 80 towns within the territory of county councils, where the lower tier ( town councils ) existed with more limited functions. The five county boroughs of Dublin , Cork , Galway , Waterford , and Limerick were re-styled city councils, with the same status in law as county councils. The lower-level tiers of borough corporations, urban district councils and town commissioners were reduced to
2585-790: The style and title of a borough with a corporation. In all other places, a district council was established. Smaller towns retained town commissioners within rural districts. The geographic remit of the Irish Free State , established in December 1922 pursuant to the Anglo-Irish Treaty of 1921, was confined to 26 of the traditional counties of Ireland, which included 27 administrative counties and four county boroughs . Rural districts were abolished everywhere except County Dublin in 1925, and in County Dublin in 1930. In 1994 County Dublin and
2640-573: The substantive point of " inhuman and degrading treatment ", but struck down the rules at that time regarding unannounced room inspections; the sign-in requirement; the requirement to notify intended absence; the rules on visitors and the lack of an independent complaints procedure. Those points were subsequently addressed. The Irish Government's Special Rapporteur on Child Protection, Dr. Geoffrey Shannon, has called it "institutionalised poverty". As of April 2020 adults receive €38.80 per week and children €29.80. Some centres have cooking facilities, but
2695-628: The supplementary electoral register in the Killarney LEA. Ellie Kisyombe, a Malawi -born refugee running for the Social Democrats in Dublin's North Inner City LEA, was retained after a review of inconsistencies in her account of her asylum history and time in direct provision , which caused several party members to resign in protest. The principal of Cadamstown national school in County Kildare
2750-524: The thirty-one local authorities is composed of the members of the council, elected by universal franchise in local elections every five years from multi-seat local electoral areas using the single transferable vote . Many of the authorities' statutory functions are, however, the responsibility of ministerially appointed career officials termed Chief executives . The competencies of the city and county councils include planning, transport infrastructure, sanitary services, public safety (notably fire services) and
2805-586: The treatment of people of colour in direct provision. Taoiseach Leo Varadkar responded by commenting that there was no direct comparison between the deaths of black people in the United States and the experiences of those living in direct provision. Mount Trenchard in Limerick, widely considered "the worst direct provision centre in the country due to poor facilities, overcrowding and isolation", closed in February 2020, after pressure from advocacy groups, including
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#17330923603502860-444: Was shired in a number of phases with County Wicklow being the last to be shired in 1625. County Tipperary was divided into two judicial counties (or ridings ) following the establishment of assize courts in 1838. At various times in the past, other entities at a level below that of the county or county borough have been employed in Ireland for various judicial, administrative and revenue collecting purposes. Some of these, such as
2915-444: Was criticised for a letter to parents praising Fianna Fáil councillors over those of Fine Gael in dealing with the school. Taoiseach Leo Varadkar stated after the poll that news of a personal injury claim taken by Fine Gael TD Maria Bailey in the week preceding the elections had caused reputational damage to Fine Gael. Republican Sinn Féin and Independent Left are not registered parties; therefore their candidates appear on
2970-433: Was originally introduced as an emergency measure in 1999. In 2002 there were almost 12,000 applications for asylum. At the start of 2014, there were 4,360 people in direct provision, with more than 3,000 people having been in the system for two or more years. At the same time, there were more than 1,600 people who have spent five or more years in direct provision. There were approximately 7,400 adults and children living in
3025-510: Was rejected by minister Simon Coveney after objections from Kilkenny. Two Local Electoral Area Boundary Committees were established in 2017 under the Local Government Reform Act 2014 and reported on 13 June 2018. The government accepted all recommendations and the boundaries of municipal districts and LEAs were consequently revised by statutory instruments signed on 19 December 2018 by John Paul Phelan , Minister of State at
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